Rotary back scrubber



Dec. 24, 1963 1A. FLEMING 3,115,322 l ROTARY BACK SCRUBBER Filed May 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 24, 1963 J. A. FLEMING 3,115,322

ROTARY BACK scRuBBER Filed May 19,l 1961 y 2 Shams-Sheetv 2 ,4 Trae/V5 Ys.

United States Patent O 3,Ii5,322 R'IARY RACK SQRIUIBBER .lames A. Fleming, Box 735, (Beale, Fla. Fried Mey r9, 19er, ser. No. siriana 6 Claims. (Cl. 248-1) This invention relates to a novel rotary back scrubber for installation in bathtub and shower stalls.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a practical and eflcient device of the kind indicated, which can be easily adjusted and installed, either temporarity of permanently, in tub or shower stalls of different dimensions, and which has a driven rotary scrubber head which can be vertically adjusted to different positions of use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated above, wherein the scrubber head is driven by a hand-wind spring motor, whereby risks of shocks from inadequately insulated and inadequately enclosed electric motors are eliminated.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a simple device of the character indicated above, which is composed of a small number of uncomplicated and easily assembled parts, and which can be made in rugged, serviceable, and well-finished forms, at relatively low cost, f such materials as plastics and lightweight metals.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a device of the invention installed in a tub or shower stall, portions of which are shown in phantom lines;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6--6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical transverse section taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary exploded side elevation of a modified form of scrubber head, partly broken away and in section.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like and related numerals designate like and related parts throughout the several views, and iirst to FIGURES l to 7, the back scrubber device therein shown, comprises a vertically elongated standard It?, which comprises a tubular lower section I2 which is closed, at its lower end, by an enlarged diameter disc 14. An enlarged cross section, transversely elongated rectangular iiexible and resilient foot 16 is secured around the disc 14 and has a roughened non-skid undersurface IS. A locking screw Ztl is threaded through the sidewall of the section I2, at its upper end, and has an enlarged diameter knurled head 22.

The standard It? further comprises an upper section 24, which comprises a rod 26, which can be tubular, which has a lower end portion engaged in the lower section IZ, through the open upper end 28 thereof, and is adapted to be locked in vertically adjusted positions by means of the Vlocking screw 2l). A vertically elongated scrubber head mounting bar 30, which can be smaller in diameter than the rod 26, is spaced forwardly from and parallel to the rod 26, and has oppositely angled upper and lower terminals 32 and 34 which extend rearwardly to and x the Mice rod 30 to the rod 26, so that the upper end of the mounting bar 30 is near to the upper end of the rod 26, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The upper standard section 2d further comprises a short rearwardly extending arm 36, fixed to the upper part of the rod 30, which has a suction cup 38, on its rear end, to be securably engaged with an end Wall 4@ of a stall S, with the standard foot I6 engaged with the stall door 42, so as to install the standard It) in parallel spaced relation to the wall, in laterally spaced relationship to side walls 44 of the stall S.

The upper standard section 24 further comprises similar opposed and diametrically aligned horizontal arms 46, which comprise tubular inner sections d8, aixed, at their inner ends, to related sides of the rod 26, and having open outer ends S0, in which are engaged sliding outer sections 52, and are adapted to be locked, in adjusted positions by means of set-screws 54, threaded through the sidewalls of the inner sections 43, at their outer ends, and having lateral handles S6. The arms 46 are preferably located above the midheight of the rod 26, near its upper end. The outer arm sections 52 have enlarged cross section, vertically elongated rectangular resilient and flexible feet 58 fixed thereon, which have roughened outer surfaces 69, for non-slip engagement with the stall sidewalls 44.

A scrubber head assembly 62 is mounted on the mounting bar 30, and comprises a circular hollow casing 6ft! having parallel spaced front and back walls 66 and 68, respectively, and a preferably convex sidewall 70. A pair of vertically spaced, centrally located upper and lower horizontal ears '72 and '74, respectively, are fixed to and extend rearwardly from the back wall 68 and have vertically aligned openings 76 which slidably receive the mounting bar Sil. An adjustment locking plate 78 has an oval opening 89, receiving the mounting bar 30, and has a laterally extending operating lever 82.

A horizontal axial shaft 86 extends through the casing 64, reaches forwardly beyond the casing front wall 66, and has a forward end 8% which is provided with a keyway 90. An interchangeable scrubber head 92 comprises a circular disc M, of substantial cross section, having an axial bore 96 having a counterbore 9S, at its rear end. A socket Idil is secured in the bore 96 and has a lateral iiange i632, around its rear end, which is seated in the counterbore 93. A set-screw 10d extends through a radial bore 106, provided in the disc 94 with a concave recess w8 at its outer end. The set-screw has a wing llt?, on its outer end, to seat protectively within the recess IGS, and a threaded inner end 112 which is threaded through the sidewall of the socket lltl to engage in the keyway @il of the shaft $6 for locking the scrubber head 92 on the shaft, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The scrubber head 92 further comprises a forwardly darin-g cylindrical brush M4, preferably composed of closely related Ibristles 116, to which soap is adapted to be appiied for scrubbing the back of a user of the device, standing or setting in the stall S.

Another form of scrubber head, shown in FIGURE 8, and generally designated 92a, is similar to the head 92, except that the disc 9d is replaced by a relatively thin, resilient and exible disc 94a, and the brush liis replaced by a hollow, pan-shaped textile brush ILM-, preferably of terry cloth, and having a drawstring or contractile rubber band IIS in a tube 117 extending around lthe edge of its open side, for securing the brush Lida around the disc 94a.

The scrubber head shaft S6 is rotated by a spring motor I8 which is enclosed within the casing 64. The motor i3 can com rise an intermediate vertical plate 12d which is supported in spaced relation tothe front and Ehack casing walls 66 and 63, respectively, on horizontal rods 22,

which extend between a vertical front plate 2li-t and a back plate 126, secured to the front and back walls, respectively. The shaft 36 is journalled through tL e plates tzt?, liv/1l', and 25 and has iixed thereon a main gear wheel 12b, which is located close to the front side of the intermediate plate lltl. The gear wheel 123 has peripheral ratchet teeth E3@ and bevel teeth i321, behind the teeth A smaller `gear wheel 13d, located at one side ot the main gear wheel 12S, is fixed on a shaft L6 extending between and journalled in the plates l2@ and 124i. The shaft 13a carries a reduced diameter pinion i133. A butteri'ly ldtl is fixed on a shaft M2 journalled on the plates l2@ and E24 and carries a pinion ldd which is in mesh with the gear wheel EL34. A further gear wheel 146 on a shaft ltd-3, journalled in the plates l2@ and i245, at one side of the shaft i356, is in mesh with the pinion A laterally movable pinion l5@ has a diametrical slot which receives a polygonal part of the shalt M8, and is in mesh with the peripheral teeth i3@ of the main gear lwheel 12E. A leaf spring idd is tixed, at one end, to the casing sidewall 7i?, as indicated at ld, and has a free end engaged with a side of the movable pinion 159, whereby the movable pinion ILS@ is yieldably urged into mesh with the ratchet teeth 13d of the main gear wheel 12%, in an arrangement wherein the movable pinion l5@ serves as a ratchet dog which enables the main gear wheel 123 to be rotated, in a direction to wind a spiral driving spring 153 which surrounds the shaft d6, between the intermediate plate l2@ and the rear plate i215, and is `fixed, at one end, to a rod 122, as indicated at 166, and, at its other end, to the shaft de, as indicated at 162. The pinion 15h is adapted to move away from the gear wheel 123, against the resistance of the leaf spring 154;-, as the main gear wheel is rotated, in the opposite direction, as the driving spring 15S unwinds.

Winding or" the motor driving spring 152i is produced by pushing in and then rotating a winding shaft 164i which has a key 166 on its outer end. As shown in FIGURE 4, the winding shaft ldd extends through an opening 1168, provided in the casing sidewall Til, and is journalled through an ear 17?, which extends `forwardly from the intermediate plate Mtl. The winding shaft 64 has a bevel pinion T72, on its inner end, and is journaled through an inner ear 174 on the plate 12@ behind the pinion 172, and a coil spring $.76 is circumposed on the shaft E64 and is compressed between the ear 17d and an outer collar E78, on the shaft, whereby 4the bevel pinion 172 is normally retracted out of engagement with the bevel teeth i252 of the main gear wheel 12,8. To wind the driving spring 153, the winding `shaft 164!- is pushed inwardly, against the resistance of the spring 176, to engage the bevel pinion 172 with the bevel teeth 132 whereat the key 166 is rotated. T e above described ratchet arrangement serves to preclude retrograde rotation of the main gear wheel liti, and hence unwinding of the spring T153, as the key lo@ is alternately grasped and turned and released to be grasped and turned again 'for completing the tightening of the driving spring 1153.

ln use and operation, the spring `motor having been wound up, as above described, and the winding shaft released, the motor rotates the scrubber head 92 until the driving spring 15S of the motor runs down.

Although there has been shown and described herein a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as delined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A support for a rotary back scrubber comprising a vertically elongated standard, means for mounting a scrubber head assembly on and extending laterally from said standard, said standard having a floor engaging foot on d its `lower end, means on the side of the standard remote from said mounting means for securement to an end wall of a tub or shower stall, and horizontal arms extending from opposite sides of the standard having feet for engagement with the side walls of a stall.

2. A support for a rotary hack scrubber vcomprising a vertically elongated standard, means :for mounting a scrubber head assembly on and extending laterally from said stand Lrd, said standard having a iloor engaging foot on its lower end, means on the side of the standard remote from said mounting means for securement to an end wall of a tub or shower stall, and horizontal arms extending from opposite sides of the standard having feet for engagement with the side walls of a stall, said standard comprising a lower `section having the `iloor-engaging foot on its lower end, and an upper section which is vertically adjustable relative to the lower section, said mounting means beimY on the upper section.

3. A support for a rotary baci: scrubber comprising a vertically elongated standard, means for mounting a scrubber head assembly on and extending laterally from said standard, said standard having a floor engaging foot on its lower end, means on the side of the standard renote from said mounting means for securement to an end wall of a tub or shower stall, and horizontal arms extending from Opposite sides of the standard having feet for engagement with the side walls of a stall, said standard comprising a lower section having the floor-engaging foot on its lower end, and an upper section which is vertically adjustable relative to the lower section, said mounting means being on the upper section, said arms being `xed to the upper standard section.

4. A support for a rotary Ibach scrubber comprising a vertically elongated standard, means for `mounting a scrubber head assembly on and extending laterally from said standard, said standard having a iloor engaging `foot on its lower end, means on the side of the standard remote from said mounting means for `securement to an end wall of a tub or shower stall, and horizontal arms extending from opposite sides of the standard having feet for engagement with the side walls of a stall, said standard comprising a lower section having the floor-engaging foot on its lower end, and an upper section which is vertically adjustable relative to the lower section, said mounting means being on the upper section, said arms being xed to the upper standard section, said arms comprising inner sections xed to the upper standard section and outer sections which are lengthwise adjustable relative to the inner sections, the side wal-l engaging feet being on the outer ends of the outer sections.

5. A support for a rotary back scrubber comprising a vertically elongated standard, means `for mounting a scrubber head assembly on and extending laterally from said Standard, said standard having a iloor engaging foot on its lower end, means on the side of the standard remote from said mounting means `for securement to an end wall or" a tub or shower stall, and horizontal arms extending from opposite sides of the standard having `feet for engagement with the side walls of a stall, a vertically elongated mounting bar mounted on and spaced parallel to said upper standard section, said mounting means being on the mounting bar.

6, A support for a rotary back scrubber `comprising a vertically elongated standard, means for mounting a scrubber head assembly on and extending laterally from said Standard, said standard having a floor engaging foot on its lower end, means on the side of the standard remote from said mounting means for securement to an end wall ot" a tub or shower stall, and horizontal arms extending yfrom opposite sides of the standard having feet for engagement with the side walls of a stall, a vertically elongated mounting bar mounted on and spaced parallel to said upper standard section, said -mounting means being on the mounting bar, having apertured means receiving the mounting bar, releasable locking means associated with the mounting means and the mounting bar for locking the mounting means in adjusted positions on the mounting bar.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,300,937 Edwards Apr. 15, 1919 1,961,243 Pereira June 5, 1934 2,014,119 Stecker Sept. 10, 1935 10 2,961,672 

1. A SUPPORT FOR A ROTARY BACK SCRUBBER COMPRISING A VERTICALLY ELONGATED STANDARD, MEANS FOR MOUNTING A SCRUBBER HEAD ASSEMBLY ON AND EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SAID STANDARD, SAID STANDARD HAVING A FLOOR ENGAGING FOOT ON ITS LOWER END, MEANS ON THE SIDE OF THE STANDARD REMOTE FROM SAID MOUNTING MEANS FOR SECUREMENT TO AN END WALL OF A TUB OR SHOWER STALL, AND HORIZONTAL ARMS EXTENDING 